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Tajikistan: Just Say 'No' to a Cult of Personality - President

May 14, 2009

In what may be a rare display of modesty from a Central Asian leader, Tajik President Imomali Rahmon has ordered the removal of all pictures of him with local officials.

"In order to prevent showing-off in the ranks [and] eliminate misunderstandings among the population, I order that portraits and carpets with the images of local officials together with the President of Tajikistan be removed from all offices, public places and from along roads," Rahmon said in a directive, news agencies reported on May 15.

He also demanded authorities remove "thank-you notes" left at public monuments and ordered that any further displays of his likeness be "coordinated with the President's executive office."

Rahmon's directive marked his third attempt to contain the proliferation of his image. Similar orders were issued in 2001 and 2002, according to a report distributed by the RIA Novosti news agency.